Page 39 of Claiming Her Alpha

“You’re all too kind,” she sobbed, breaking out into tears again. “I brought shame on you.”

Kendra quickly took her hand in hers and ran her thumb soothingly over her knuckles. “There is no shame. Sometimes our goddess sends us down a path we don’t truly understand, but she wouldn’t give us anything that we can't grow our strength from.”

“I walked off her path the moment I didn’t wait for my mate.”

“And there is no shame in that.”

Kendra’s mom quickly pulled Jenevea into a hug, holding her close to her chest. “You’ll be part of this family for as long as you wish.”

After consoling her for a little longer, Kendra led Jenevea upstairs. She quickly showed her around and then let her pick out some clothes to wear. Kent was nowhere to be seen, which angered Kendra, but she didn’t let Jenevea see it.

Back downstairs, she walked in on her mom and father talking and froze in place. “Sorry.”

“There is no need,” her mom reassured her. “Is the thin blanket enough for you tonight?”

“Yes.”

Her mother nodded, kissed her cheek, and retreated to the master bedroom. Her father’s eyes rested on her for a few moments before he too left.

The night was far too long, and Kendra had trouble sleeping. Though she was comfortable enough on the couch, she couldn’t fall asleep. She watched with growing frustration as the hands on the clock crept into the early morning hours.

Her father was the first one to appear in the morning. He looked just as tired as Kendra felt. “Your mother is still asleep. Please tell her not to worry and that I’ll be back soon. We’ll talk then.”

“Okay.”

Though she was curious, she didn’t ask where he was going. She quietly waited for everyone in the house to slowly wake up. She helped her mother cook breakfast and went upstairs to check on Jenevea. She was sitting on the bed, her hands in her lap and her eyes still red and puffy.

“How are you feeling this morning?” Kendra gently asked. She crossed the room to sit next to her.

“I’m not sure.”

“How about some breakfast?”

“Is he here?” she whispered.

“I believe so, but I haven’t seen him.”

“He hates us.”

Kendra sighed and took Jenevea’s hand in hers. “He thought he could get away with his behaviour. Now, it’s caught up to him and he can’t cope.”

“I didn’t mean to have his child.”

“I know. We all do.”

“It was only one time.”

Kendra didn’t know what else to say to comfort her, so she held her hand until she heard her father’s voice downstairs. “I have to go talk to Father and Kent. Maybe you can come down in a few minutes and eat while we are in the office?”

Jenevea nodded and Kendra gently and lovingly squeezed her hand before going downstairs. Although her father and Kent were already in the office, she went over to her mother.

“I think she’s afraid to come down. Maybe she can have her breakfast upstairs?”

“I’ll go check on her if she doesn’t come down soon.”

Kendra nodded and quickly walked to the office, where Avery had joined the group waiting for her.

“Sit, Kendra.”

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